spring blooms

are we all excited for spring? certainly these blooms speak springtime and the fresh showers it brings. it may be a little early to talk about spring but do you know easter sunday is here in march? yep, it's a little early this year. 

today i will be guest blogging at my friend meredith's blog sharing my 

SPRING favorites! 

do stop by and say hello! 

Source: laloliv.com via Stacie on Pinterest

Source: designscouting.com via Tammy on Pinterest

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Kirstie on Pinterest

happy tuesday!

kelly's holiday wishlist

we've only got a few days left before christmas eve and all the little elves are busy. there's still time of course to update and make add-ons to your wishlist (mine changes daily - ha!) and today we've got kelly of
the party dress and WHHostess stationery share her holiday wishlist! 

let's check out kelly's picks : 

1. bow necklace 2. makeup brush set 3. buckle leather tote 4. smart tools for the kitchen

5. dotted silk shell  6. silver cakestand 7. ballet flats 8. navy and white throw blanket

and yes, i have to revise my wishlist to add that cozy blanket and i think my kitchen island needs that ipad with stand! thanks for stopping by kelly! 

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rae's holiday wishlist

one of my chilhood bestfriend is back in the blog today to share her holiday wishlist. rae was here last time sharing her fall favorites and i'm glad she can stop by and be a part of this holiday wishlist series! 

here's rae : 

Luke 2:14 captures number 1 on my wish list. Seeing God glorified for giving us reason to celebrate Christmas is first and foremost.   

Now Lili wants to know what are other things I wouldn't mind having? Here's a list:

~ Great ski conditions with some awesome champagne powder for our ski trip(s). 

~ New ski goggles. A fearless nephew used mine last year while having fun on the slopes. He was unscathed. Can't say the same for the goggles.

~ Python Lucchese. Yes, I'll take a pair.  

~ New Running Shoes. Adds motivation to run and create a calorie deficit to offset the holiday calorie overages. 

~ A new flash for my camera would be nice.

~ I wouldn't complain about a nice Oriental Rug for the dining room.

thanks so much raez! and THANK YOU for reminding us what the real reason of the season is!

 and oh how i wish we can go with you on your annual ski trip with the family! so much fun! 

nina's holiday wishlist

far from being a stranger here in the blog, one of my dearest friends nina is finally visiting and sharing her holiday wishlist. we worked countless times together on different occasions - conceptualizing and brainstorming on parties we are hosting and we always end up having so much fun putting something together whether for our families, kids or friends.

you may also recognize her here in the blog from her twins 1st birthday party feature, our girlfriends katherine's pink and gold baby shower and phuong's girly birthday luncheon. we also collaborated on bestie emily's vintage-themed baby shower last year (and second part feature here). i'm also excited to announce today that her new gifts and accessories e-boutique will soon open, PBC closet! stay tuned!

fur coat // long cardigan // crocodile collier de chien cuff  // coat 

square-framed sunglasses //  cartier diamond bangle // scalloped flats (i want a pair too!)

in the meantime, if you'd like to take a peek at her store - follow her along on instagram (@pbc) and if you see something you like, you can order via emailing her  PBCcloset{at}gmail {dot}com

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monica's holiday wishlist

in true holiday spirit, we are kicking off a new series today with the fabulous monica of  classy and fabulous blog, dishing about her HOLIDAY WISHLIST! 

the beautiful monica is my go-to resource to some of  houston's local fashion event updates and schedules. this fashionista is also a talented artist and illustrator and you can check out (and purchase!) some of her sketches here in her shop. she has done some amazing work!

MONICA'S holiday wishlist list :

let's help make monica's wishlist happen ~ you can make donations to Texas Hearing and Service dogs here! 

thank you! 

you can stalk monica here : 

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MONICA, thanks so much for being here today! 

audrey's top five fall favorites

the last guest blogger to share her top five fall favorites in our series is the gorgeous Audrey of 

Spilled Milk Style blog. a houston local blogger with stunning good looks and incredible style ~ this mommy to the adorable little guy conrad ~ always inspire me with her casual elegant style despite juggling her busy schedule and mommy duties! i can't wait to share her fall favorites here today! 

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I am super excited to be guest posting for Lili, a fellow mom blogger of one of my new favorite blogs, Swanky Chic Fete! I’m Audrey, creator of Spilled Milk Style, a blog for stylish moms despite all the spilled milk! Spilled Milk Style is a fashion, style and lifestyle inspiration blog for moms.

Today I’m discussing my top 5 Fall Favorites.

The first is my Hermes riding “Jumping” Boots. These were an investment gift from my husband two Christmases ago. They just say Fall to me and I love them! They look great with dresses, skirts and of course tucked into jeans. My tip for jean tucking is to wear capris. No one will know and you get a smoother look.

My next Fall Favorite are J.Crew cashmere tees in long and short sleeves. At the beginning of every season I always order a few in various colors. I know the biggest pain with cashmere is pilling, so I recommend picking up a sweater comb too. But honestly these tees aren’t that bad will pilling and are easy care by hand washing with cashmere wash. Here’s a pic of me sporting both favorites, my Hermes boots and a JCrew short sleeve cashmere tee. The skirt is by Rag and Bone and handbag is Celine.

My third Fall Favorite is actually a makeup item, Smashbox’s HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder. I use retinol on and off and my skin gets flakey as the temperature changes. When the cooler weather starts I switch my tinted moisturizer to this. It gives you a seamless look of a foundation but goes on smoothly like a powder. I highly recommend it! 

My next Fall Favorite are the Isabel Marant Dicker booties. By fashion standards these have been out for awhile now and are considered a classic staple. I recently decided to order a pair as an alternative to black flats. The heel height is very comfortable and perfect for running around with my two year old son. Plus the style is definitely more fallish than the basic everyday flat.

My last Fall Favorite will also be a Holiday wish list item as I don’t own it but would love to! It’s the Hermes H Hour watch in gold. I’ve never been a gold jewelry person but have recently started wearing more and have slowly started to collect. I’m definitely a watch person but I feel funny sporting my stainless mens watch with gold jewelry. The Hermes H Hour in gold would definitely solve my problem! The brown band makes it more Fall feeling to me and of course the style is so basic it’s definitely a classic to keep!

Thank you so much Lili for allowing me to guest post, I hope your readers enjoy!
Best, Audrey

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thanks audrey for sharing with us your fall favorites - now i want those cashmere tees too!

you can catch audrey over at : 

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST

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and lastly, i am excited to announce our next new series to run this november till christmas week 

HOLIDAY WISHLIST 

 i have an amazing line up of favorite bloggers, new and old friends who will stop by and share their holiday wishlist. i can't wait to kick of that series! 

brooke's top five fall favorites

it's time again to feature one of my favorite bloggers and her top five fall favorites. brooke of style wise blog is one stylish lady living in houston and she's here today sharing her fall fancies. before she goes into that, i do want you all to check out her gorgeous home featured in her famous Aunt Joni's blog, cote de texas. i am seriously crushing on her house!

thanks for being here today, brooke!  
i am coveting everything in your list! 

Source: diptyqueparis.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Diptyque candles are the ultimate in luxury candles. I purchased my first in its home city of Paris last fall. My favorite scent for fall is the rich, woodsy and spicy Ambre scent. It’s the perfect blend and makes my home literally smell like fall. 

 Diptyque Ambre Candle

Source: thestylemanifest.com via Brooke on Pinterest

I indulge in a weekly manicure and I always look forward to the fall colors to be released. Chanel released 3 gorgeous colors for fall that I have had on rotation. I am currently wearing Vertigo! 

 Chanel Fall 2012 Nail Polish: Suspicious, Frenzy & Vertigo

Source: piperlime.gap.com via Dana on Pinterest

Leather has been one of the biggest trends this season but can also be super pricey. These vegan leather skinnies are the best fit and are super easy on the wallet! 

 Blank Denim Vegan Leather

Source: rebeccataylor.com via Brooke on Pinterest

I can’t get enough of sweaters in the fall and this layered look is just perfect! And that touch of leopard…killer! It also has an exposed side zipper that allows you to show as little or as much of the print as you would like…so versatile! 

 Rebecca Taylor Leo Block Layered Sweater

Source: polyvore.com via Marie-Claude on Pinterest

I have been living in booties as we are transitioning to fall here in Texas. My can’t live without of the season are the DV Joust booties. They are the perfect heel height and I love the zipper detail. 

 DV by Dolce Vita Joust Booties

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therese's top five fall faves

fall faves series is back today with my gorgeous friend, therese of craft and couture blog sharing her favorites. therese is a talented event designer in the bay area and i've always been a big fan of her elegant weddings and soirees. she's famous for her amazing flower arrangements, DIY crafts and home interiors but therese is best known for making her daughter natalie's unbelievable halloween costumes that's been featured over and over again in blogs and pinterest. halloween is almost here and i can't wait what she's got planned. i'm so excited to have her here today and when you visit her blog, check out her daughter's latest neon adventure party ~ so so adorable! 

Fall is without a doubt my favorite season! Here are the top 5 things I look forward to each year:

1. Fall fashion! I'm excited to mix spring's pastels and neons with fall's darker hues like this mint color block sweater and burgundy leather skirt from JCrew.

2. Bringing out the warm and cozy items like faux fur and leather. Gilded leather pillow from Zara Home. West Elm faux fur throw.

3. Pumpkins and pumpkin scones! I love spending more time in the kitchen during this time of year. Photo and recipe from Crumbly Cookie.

4. Updating my home scent with this warm and sensual one from Pottery Barn. "Fireside Leather" is the perfect blend of warm, clean, sweet and a bit masculine.

5. The start of entertaining season! Looking forward to lots of dinner parties with friends and family. Table setting by DwellStudio.

Thanks so much for having me over Lil!

Cheers and happy fall everyone!

xoxo, Therese

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dawn's top five fall favorites

today we welcome party gal dawn, of not just a mommy, dishing on her top five fall favorites. last year, i had the pleasure of meeting dawn at one of our favorite sweet places. it was a delight to meet her, her sister and her boys. dawn couldn't be any more sweeter and she was so much fun to hang out with. i was hoping she can come back soon but in the meantime, i will be enjoying her visit here in the blog today. let's check out her favorites this season :

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Hello, everyone! I'm Dawn from Not Just A Mommy! and I'm so thrilled that Lili asked me to be here! I love fall because living in the Pacific Northwest means we get the full blast; leaves changing, crisp weather and so many fun outdoor activities to get into. This makes it hard to narrow down, but my top five fall favorites are...

1. Pumpkin patches
I live close to at least 10 working farms and when fall arrives, there is no shortage of hot apple cider, hayrides, roasted corn and pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins! Every year, we break out our boots and hit a local patch, pick pumpkins according to our size (Daddy's is the biggest, etc.) and go through the corn maze. There are fresh donuts and lots of cocoa waiting for us on the other side.  Oh yes, fresh donut trucks hang out at the pumpkin patch.  photo from Not Just A Mommy!

2. Caramel apples

Did I mention that I  live close to at least 10 working farms? Fall means no shortage of apples, and the bevy of apple products is crazy here. But of them all, there is nothing better than fresh caramel apples. photo from Karen In The Kitchen

3.  Halloween crafting

I love, love, love Halloween! We don't always have the time to throw a big old party, but I have to at least craft something.  My Halloween hanging doily garland was my first project this season and my new series, Halloweek, features all the ones I've been up to. 

4. Autumn nail colors

I love seeing the new nail colors for the season...I love this collection from Style.Love.Repeat! The colors work with everything you'll wear this season.

5.  Big slouchy sweaters

Out here, cords rule, which means you gotta have several big, slouchy sweaters.  Every PNW gal worth her salt has slouchy sweaters to carry her through to chilly spring. And it better be long enough to pull off as a dress with tights and boots. photo from Hilda Grahna

BLOG // TWITTER // FACEBOOK // PINTEREST  thanks dawn for delighting us with your post today! 

julie's top five fall favorites

hello friends! i hope everyone had a great weekend. can you believe it's october? wow.

today we are kicking off the week with the fabulous julie  and her top five fall favorites. julie's blog was one of the first blogs i've followed when i started blogging two years ago. her daily blogposts always make me smile and inspire me to no end. so many endless pretty stuff on her blog and i find myself anticipating her blogposts everyday!

let's check out her five fall faves : 

1. Pulling out boots again (with tights!). // 2. Snuggling up in cozy scarves. // 3. Embracing darker nail colors.
4. Pumpkin scented and flavored everything! // 5. Making more frequent stops for coffee.

Fall is my favorite season. The temperatures are perfect and cozying up on the couch for endless hours seems perfectly acceptable. Of course, there are many other things I love about the season, but the five that I've chosen to share today seem to always top my list. I get excited to start layering my outfits again, searching for pumpkin candles and drinks, and pulling out the deep romantic nail colors I've tucked away for the last few months. Another favorite that didn't make it on my list here is fall decorating. My house instantly transforms to the happiest place on earth with the purchase of pumpkins and mums!

Happy fall, everyone! And thank you to Lili for inviting me over today!

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ashley's top five fall favorites

so excited today to have none other than ashley brooke of ashley brooke designs sharing her top five fall favorites. if you're not familiar with ashley, she's a talented artist and designer specializing in illustrated papergoods such as stationery, invitations and notecards for all holidays and occasions. my personal favorites are her custom illustrations (so personalized and special!) and fun whimsical calendars. i am recently smitten with her latest fall favorites notecard! 

here are ashley's fall favorites ~ she is seriously making me crave for some real cold crisp fall air to blow into texas asap! thanks ashley for guest posting with us today!

Photo Sources: Fall Stationery, Red Wellies, Freshly Baked Bread, Plaid Scarf, Festive Decor

Fall is my favorite season by far, there is nothing more I love than a pumpkin spice latte, and the smell of Fall in the air! Here are just a few of my Fall favorites (it's so hard to pick!!), I hope you enjoy!!

Fall Stationery: Nothing says back to school like freshly sharpened pencils and fresh stationery on my desk. 

Red Wellies: What better way to keep your toes warm and dry than with these?! 

Freshly Baked Bread: I love the sights and smells of Fall warming my kitchen, especially when there's yummy fall food involved...like apple or pumpkin bread! Delish.

Plaid Scarf: Is there anything cozier than a scarf wrapped around your neck? I think not.  Plus, it's hard to imagine autumn without some plaid.  It makes me feels like I'm in the mountains at my parents' cabin!

Festive Decor: Come September 1, I pull out every pumpkin, leaf and acorn I can find to decorate my house from door to door.

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meredith's top five fall favorites

we ladies here in texas are so excited to have a cold front (below 80s) and my "next door" neighbor and blogger friend, meredith, shares her top five fall favorites to enjoy the weather. she is no stranger on this blog as she made quite a few appearances here in the past (here and here) and i always love having her. this busy mommy of three adorable boys is loving everything orange and cozy this season and i have to totally agree with her! 

friends, say hello to meredith.....

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I am so thrilled to be guest posting on Lili's fabulous blog with my favorite things for Fall.

When I think of Fall I think of the weather changing (c'mon 70 degress IS cold people). 

And with that, all I want to do is bundle up and soak in the goodness of the season. 

Here's a little window into what I am loving for Fall...

My Five Favorite things for Fall are... 

1. Cozy, Comfy Clothing! Can I get an AMEN?! I love a great chunky sweater and some fabulous black leggings. 
2. Cozy, Cute Kiddos... dying to get my boys into some darling Hunter Wellies to keep their tiny toes warm and dry as the weather changes.
3. Cozy, Comfort Foods! Mmm, nothing says FALL quite like a Pumpkin Spice Latte and S'mores by the fire pit. I'd have one of each every day if I could. 
4. Cozy, Chic Home... wrap up in a fabulous chevron print throw and light a delicious creamy pumpkin candle and I'd be hard pressed to budge. Sounds like a slice of Heaven!
5. Cozy, well... COZY feet! I am a girl who loves her slippers and none better than the Dakotas! I am also a sucker for fun printed socks in the Fall/Winter, add polka dots and I am SO in.

Well, there you have it. A few of my favorite things for Fall. What are you loving this season?

Thank you Lili for having me on your blog today. You're such a doll.

thanks meredith for all the cozy must-haves! cant wait for the REAL cold weather to finally hit us!

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rae's five fall favorites

continuing our top five fall favorites series, one of my best friends rae is here to share what she loves about the fall season and living in texas. i am so happy she's doing her introductory post here (im still trying to convince her to start her own blog). or at least, i'm hoping she'll be a regular contributor here. 

a little background about our deep rooted friendship - we've known each other since kindergarten and through high school in the philippines. we both grew up, went to school and church together and only to migrate in the US and ending up in the same city later on in life. it is pretty special that she's here today and trying her hand in blogging despite her busy schedule! 

{photo sources : wedding photo / boots / football / boots / morning run }

I always welcome the cooler temperatures and the warmer colors that come with Fall with much excitement. I'm not enthusiastic about the seemingly shorter days that accompany the end of daylight savings time but otherwise for me, there isn't much else to complain about the Fall season. Like most women, Fall outfits are the favorites in my wardrobe. My preferred comfort foods also seem to taste better during the cool "ber" months. 

There are so many things to rave about Fall but here are 5 reasons why every year, I fall in love with Fall:

Fall running is fabulous. The cool weather with the crisp air and beautiful atmosphere is great for running. Breaking out a new pair of running shoes to herald Fall running season is something that I Iook forward to towards the end of Summer every year.

Celebrations with family and friends are a huge and heartwarming element of the Fall season for me. There are the big holiday get-togethers in praise and thanksgiving for God's wonderful blessings. And of course there is always the small yet lovely celebration of our November wedding anniversary (her 2009 wedding featured here).

I enjoy Fall trips. They are more relaxed than Summer vacation travel. My husband and I usually take short trips during the fall season like the one we took last year to the Pacific Northwest to visit his sister in a lovely little town nestled at the spot where the great Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. 

I love boots. I would wear them all year long if it was not so hot in Houston. I'm always grateful when Fall comes around and I can break out the boots! 

I love College Football; specifically Longhorns Football. I spotted the college football fans in my neighborhood hoisting alma mater banners outside their homes to declare devotion and fealty to their college teams during my morning run this past Saturday. Even if I don't like the teams that hold their allegiance, our shared fondness for College Football in a way binds us. Hook 'em!

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thanks raez for being here. means a lot. 

i am so looking forward to your possible new blog endeavors!